Lammy refuses to set time frame for UK recognition of Palestinian state

David Lammy has refused to set a time frame for when the UK would recognise a Palestinian state, adding “the truth is despite some countries recently deciding to recognise, it hasn’t led to change on the ground.”

In an appearance before the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, dominated  by questions about Israel and the Palestinians, the Foreign Secretary said there was a “judgement call” for the UK to make over recognition.

Responding to questions from chair Emily Thornberry and Labour MP Uma Kumaran he said:”There will be a judgment call, and I’m not going to tie myself to a calendar because it’s convenient for a soundbite.

“There’s a judgment call that, quite properly, you would expect the Government to think very hard about.”

Lammy accepted that the viability of a two-state solution was being put into question by those in Israel determined to pursue policies of settlement and expansion in the West Bank and Gaza.

He said there was intense debate between the UK, France and countries like Saudi Arabia over when recognition of a Palestinian state could tangibly lead to change on the ground.

A planned conference involving these three countries, in which Palestine recognition would be discussed, was postponed last month as a result of the war with Iran.  There was talk of it taking place in September, but Lammy said this had not been confirmed.

But he said that “despite the recognition movement, actually what we’ve seen is further annexation on the West Bank” and “it has not led to get us getting closer to a process, it’s led to further annexation”.

Lammy said while some made the case for the UK to immediately recognise Palestine, “I say, for the United Kingdom,  particularly if you look at the history, our relationship with the two communities that were brought together in the birth of the Israeli state – I would prefer it if it was part of a process.”

The Foreign Secretary accepted that a forthcoming ceasefire in Gaza “might be the beginning of the process…. particularly if it is a permanent ceasefire.”

“There are delicate ceasefire negotiations under way,” he added. ” I’ve explained the issues that sit within that, and whether we will get a… ceasefire. I’m hopeful that we will.

“And alongside French and Saudi colleagues, we are discussing recognition, but my indication and my instinct is I actually want things to change the situation on the ground.”

He also noted how Britain was “playing a greater role than any other partner” in terms of its support to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and to ensuring the “required reforms” take place within the Palestinian Authority.

But Britain would oppose plans reportedly set out by Israel’s defence minister to move Palestinians in Gaza into a camp on the ruins of the city of Gaza,  Lammy added.

It was put to the Foreign Secretary that Israel Katz had told journalists he wanted to “move 600,000 Palestinians to a camp in the ruins of the city of Rafah”.

Labour MP Kumaran said: “They’re calling it a so-called humanitarian transit area but there’s no schools there, there’s no medical provisions there, there are no other facilities, and there are plans for forced screening.

“Katz wants international partners to be involved in that. Will Britain oppose this and can you guarantee us in this committee that no British companies or NGOs will be involved in those plans?”

Lammy said: “We’ve been very clear that we don’t support the aid foundation that has been set up, it’s not doing a good job, too many people are close to starvation, too many people have lost their lives.”

He added that his understanding was that there had been better conversations between the UN agency system and Israel over the last few days, saying: “So I’m surprised at the statements that I’ve seen from Mr Katz over the last 24 hours.

“And as I’ve indicated, they run contra to the proximity to a ceasefire that I thought we were heading towards, so I wonder if there’s some politicking going on for those within the government that for some reason stand opposed to this.

“But what you’ve described, I don’t recognise as a serious context in which the people of Gaza can get the aid and support that they need at this time.”

Pressed on whether Britain would be opposing any such plans, he said: “Yes.”

Lammy also defended his record of taking action in relation to Israel over concerns over human rights breaches. He also said there had been “several” assessments of UK arms exports to Israel since last September.

In relation to sale of parts for F-35 fighter jets, the foreign secretary said the recent High Court case brought against the government by pro-Palestine groups had shown that the UK’s position in terms of sales was the correct one.

But Lammy said the UK Government would take further measures against Israel if a ceasefire in Gaza is not achieved in the coming weeks.

The Foreign Secretary was asked by Labour MP Alex Ballinger at the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee: “If we do not get the ceasefire we’re all praying for in the coming weeks…”

“No, we have to get the ceasefire,” Lammy interjected.

“But if that is not the case and we see the abomination that you’ve described and the intolerable continuation of the situation in Gaza, will the Government go further to take measures against Israel?” Ballinger asked.

“Yes, yes we will,” the Foreign Secretary replied.

Britain, France and Germany could snap back sanctions on Iran unless the country gets “serious” about stepping back from its nuclear ambitions,  Lammy  suggested.

He told the committee: “Iran faces even more pressure in the coming weeks because the E3 can snap back on our sanctions, and it’s not just our sanctions, it’s actually a UN mechanism that would impose dramatic sanctions on Iran across nearly every single front in its economy.

“So they have a choice to make.

“It’s a choice for them to make. I’m very clear about the choice they should make, but I’m also clear that the UK has a decision to make that could lead to far greater pain for the Iranian regime unless they get serious about the international desire to see them step back from their nuclear ambitions at this time.”